PR: Shaun the Sheep Scores With Rugby World Cup 2015 Partnership

Bristol UK, Thursday 17th October 2013 – Aardman have partnered with Elite Sports Properties UK Ltd (ESP), Master Licensee for Rugby World Cup 2015 (RWC 2015), in an exciting joint licensing programme starring family favourite, Shaun the Sheep. The licensing initiative will include a brand new rugby capsule style guide, featuring Shaun and the flock in their very own Rugby World Cup 2015 kit.

Rugby World Cup is the third largest sporting event in the world, where the top 20 nations come together on one stage competing for the Webb Ellis Cup and to be crowned Rugby World Cup Champions. After a record-breaking Tournament hosted by New Zealand in 2011, rugby is returning to English soil and the country already looks set to raise the bar. RWC 2015 will take place in iconic sporting venues regionally across England, including Twickenham, Wembley, St James’ Park and the Olympic Stadium.

Bernard Lapasset, Chairman of Rugby World Cup Limited, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Shaun the Sheep to the Rugby World Cup 2015 flock. With Rugby reaching out and engaging the world’s youth, the relationship between the world’s third largest event and the globally loved Shaun, will be a match that will inspire more boys and girls to get involved with a character-building sport.”

By partnering with only the most experienced and innovative character and sports licensing companies, both in the UK and internationally, Aardman and ESP are committed to creating a fun, engaging and brilliantly characterised merchandising and retail programme using a uniquely British icon to help tell the story of Rugby World Cup 2015.

Sean Clarke Head of Aardman Rights says; “Shaun the Sheep is a family favourite and is enjoyed the world over. With the flock working together as a team at the heart of every story, it was a natural fit to work with Rugby World Cup 2015. The joint licensing programme will encourage not only sports fans but all aspiring young children and their families around the world to join in and get behind rugby and the Tournament.”

Aardman and ESP look forward to showcasing early concepts from the style guide to engage new and existing partners at Brand Licensing Europe. The core product categories that both parties are looking to explore further are: apparel, plush, stationery and giftware.

Aardman Stand No: F010

About Aardman

Aardman, based in Bristol (UK) co-founded and run by Peter Lord and David Sproxton, is a world leader in animation. It produces feature films, television series and television commercials for both the domestic and international market. Their multi-award winning productions are novel, entertaining, brilliantly characterised and full of charm that reflects the unique talent, energy and personal commitment of the very special people who make up the Aardman team. The studio’s work is often imitated and yet the company continues to lead the field producing a rare brand of visually stunning and amusing independent and commercials productions. www.aardman.com

About Aardman Rights

Aardman Rights is renowned for developing and building enduring character brands across all media. They specialise in marketing and realising the commercial potential of their properties in a way that celebrates and respects their intrinsic creative values. Classic brands in the portfolio include Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and Morph, while Aardman Rights has recently acquired third party representation for Walker Books’ ‘Tilly and Friends’ (TV rights) and ‘Small Potatoes’ for Little Airplane (Merchandise rights). www.aardman.com/rights

About Elite Sports Properties

Elite Sports Properties (ESP) is an independent sports and entertainment marketing and management company with offices in the United Kingdom and Australia. ESP Merchandise are specialists in creating licensed merchandise that traverses many platforms, from traditional retail offerings to media activations and promotional premiums. Having been in the memorabilia and collectibles business since 1997, ESP Merchandise have been recognised globally through numerous awards and have consulted to many sporting governing bodies and managers on merchandising strategies

In the United Kingdom, ESP manages some of the UK’s leading athletes including Sir Chris Hoy and Rebecca Adlington, whilst in Australia ESP manages a host of leading athletes whilst also working for corporate organisations and sporting bodies, via their Marketing and Events and ESP Merchandise business units.